Since Forbes started keeping track of the nation’s rich list more than 20 years ago, the economic, political, and social issues encountered by mainland China have caused the most dramatic drop in the fortunes of its wealthiest citizens. Here is the list of the richest person in China.
In comparison to the previous year, the combined wealth of the top 100 richest people in China has decreased by 39%, from $1.48 trillion to $907.1 billion. The minimum net worth needed to be in the top 100 has dropped to $3.5 billion from $5.7 billion, a significant loss that is the largest ever recorded and the first since 2018.
We shall examine the top 50 richest person in China in detail in this post.
Top 50 Richest Person in China
With an increasing number of billionaires emerging, China leads the world in the ranks of billionaires. Who are the top 50 richest persons in China, given that the list of China’s wealthiest people keeps growing? These are the top 50 richest person in China.
1. Zhong Shanshan
Net Worth: $62.3 Billion
In September 2020, Nongfu Spring listed its shares in Hong Kong, chaired by Zhong Shanshan, an entrepreneur with an estimated net worth of $62.3 billion. Also, under Zhong’s control is Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy. He is the richest person in China.
The two companies IPOed in 2020: Nongfu owns 85% and Wantai 75%. His previous jobs included construction worker and news reporter before he established Nongfu Spring and became the second richest man in Asia.
2. Zhang Yiming
Net Worth: $49.5 Billion
The main founder of ByteDance, Zhang Yiming, became popular and is in the list of the richest person in China after introducing apps such as TikTok. It has approx. 1 billion users from all around the world.
However, in November 2021, Yiming left the company because of pressure from the Chinese government. He was also listed in the 2013 Forbes China 30 Under 30 List.
3. Robin Zeng
Net Worth: $28.9 Billion
Robin Zeng is the chairman and founder of the world’s electric vehicle battery-selling company, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) and 3th richest person in China. CATL has a popular name among big vehicle brands and is listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2018.
It sells batteries to some famous brands like BMW, Geely, and Volkswagen. The headquarter of CATL is in Ningde in Fujian Province. Ford also announced to make a collaboration with CATL in 2023.
4. Ma Huateng
Net Worth: $23.4 Billion
The chairman and CEO of Tencent Holdings, Ma Huateng, has a net worth of $23.4 billion and is listed among the top 50 richest person in China. He is also known as Pony Ma.
He gained popularity and price after introducing the app WeChat which has over 1.3 billion users worldwide. Huateng also owns stakes in one of the largest video gaming publisher companies, Epic Games.
5. Jack Ma
Net Worth: $20.6 Billion
Jack Ma has an estimated net worth of $20.6 billion which makes him the 5th richest person in China. He is the cofounder of the Alibaba Group in 1999, which is one of the largest e-commerce companies.
Jack Ma completed his education in Bachelor of Arts/Science from the Hangzhou Teacher’s Institute. He is 58 years old and resides in Hangzhou, China.
6. Wang Wei
Net Worth: $19.6 Billion
Wang Wei has an estimated net worth of $19.6 billion which makes him the 6th richest person in China. He is the chairman of SF Express or also known as S. F. Holding. Just like FedEx, it is a package delivery company in China.
Wang Wei is a self-made billionaire and his main source of income is package delivery. He is 52 years old and resides in Shenzhen, China.
7. He Xiangjian & family
Net Worth: $18.8 Billion
He Xiangjian & family has an estimated net worth of $18.8 billion which makes him the 7th richest person in China. Xiangjian is the founder and maker of one of the biggest appliance makers companies in the world, Midea Group.
He Xiangjian is married and has 3 children. Besides, his source of income is home appliances. He is 80 years old and resides in Foshan, China.
8. William Lei Ding
Net Worth: $18.7 Billion
William Lei Ding has an estimated net worth of $18.7 billion which makes him the 8th richest person in China. He is the CEO of world’s largest mobile online games business, NetEase.
William Lei Ding completed his education in Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He is 51 years old and resides in Hangzhou, China.
9. Colin Zheng Huang
Net Worth: $18.6 Billion
William Lei Ding has an estimated net worth of $18.6 billion which makes him the 9th richest person in China. He is the CEO of world’s largest mobile online games business, NetEase.
William Lei Ding completed his education in Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He is 51 years old and resides in Hangzhou, China.
10. Qin Yinglin
Net Worth: $18.4 Billion
Qin Yinglin has an estimated net worth of $18.4 billion which makes him the 10th richest person in China. He is the chairman of one of the biggest pig breeding companies in the world’s largest pork market, China’s Muyuan Foodstuff.
Qin Yinglin is married and has 1 child. Besides, his main source of income is pig breeding. He is 58 years old and resides in Nanyang, China.
11. Wang Chuanfu
Net Worth: $17.7 Billion
Wang Chuanfu has an estimated net worth of $17.7 billion which makes him the 11th richest person in China. He is well-known for running China’s biggest nascent electric vehicle market also known as the biggest EV market all over the world.
Wang Chuanfu completed his education with a Master of Science from the Beijing Non-Ferrous Research Institute and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the Central South Industrial University of Technology. He is 57 years old and resides in Shenzhen, China.
12. Wang Wenyin
Net Worth: $16.3 Billion
Wang Wenyin has an estimated net worth of $16.3 billion which makes him the 12th richest person in China. He is the chairman of Amer International Group which is a copper and cable supplier.
Wang Wenyin is from China and his major source of income is copper products and mining. He is 55 years old and resides in Shenzhen, China.
13. Li Xiting
Net Worth: $16.2 Billion
One of the richest persons is Li Xiting, chairman and founder of Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics. He is the wealthiest individual in Singapore and the 33rd richest man in all of Asia, according to estimates of his net worth, which is $16.2 billion.
Known for providing medical equipment, Mindray was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Shenzhen. He is the 13th richest person in China with an estimated net worth of $16.2 billion.
14. Li Shufu
Net Worth: $14.7 Billion
Li Shufu has an estimated net worth of $14.7 billion which makes him the 14th richest person in China. He is one of the founders and chairman of famous China’s biggest automaker, which is not controlled by the government, Gelly Automobile Holdings.
Li Shufu completed his education with a Master of Science from Yanshan University. He is 59 years old and resides in Hangzhou, China.
15. Xu Hang
Net Worth: $14.5 Billion
Xu Hang has an estimated net worth of $14.5 billion which makes him the 15th richest person in China. He is the non-executive director and a cofounder of the well-known medical device supplier company, Mindray Medical International.
Xu Hang completed his education in EMBA from the Ceibs, a Bachelor of Engineering from Tsinghua University, and a Master of Science in Engineering degree from Tsinghua University. He is 56 years old and resides in Shenzhen, China.
16. Wei Jianjun & family
Net Worth: $13.4 Billion
Wei Jianjun & family has an estimated net worth of $13.4 billion which makes him the 16st richest person in China. He is the founder and leader of one of the biggest China SUV manufacturing companies, Great Wall Motor.
Wei Jianjun completed his education with a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the Hebei Province. He is 59 years old and resides in Baoding, China. Besides, his main source of income is automobiles.
17. Huang Shilin
Net Worth: $13.2 Billion
With a net worth of $13.2 billion, Huang Shilin ranks as the 17th richest person in China. He is a former vice chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), one of the nation’s top battery manufacturers for the electric car industry.
In August 2022, Huang left the board of directors. He pursued his schooling at Hefei University of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Technology degree.
18. Lu Xiangyang
Net Worth: $12.7 Billion
While working at the People’s Bank of China in 1995, Lu Xiangyang teamed up with his cousin Wang Chuanfu to create BYD, a well-known battery and automotive manufacturer. Lu currently runs Youngy Investment Holding Group, his own investment company.
Due to their sizable stakes in the business, Lu, a director of BYD, and Wang, the company’s chairman, have both amassed billion-dollar fortunes. Lu is the 18th richest person in China with a net worth of $12.7 billion.
19. Pang Kang
Net Worth: $12.5 Billion
Pang Kang, who ranks 19th among richest person in China and has a net worth of $12.5 billion, is the chairman of Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food, a well-known soy sauce supplier.
In 2014, Foshan Haitian listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The business dates back to the middle of the Qing Dynasty, when it was known as Foshan Sauce Shop, and it flourished during the Qianlong period.
20. Liu Hanyuan
Net Worth: $12.4 Billion
Liu Hanyuan, the CEO of China’s Tongwei Group, is a notable figure and a pioneer in the aquafeed and new energy sectors. Liu worked for the government in the hydropower bureau in the province of Sichuan before starting his own venture in the fish food industry.
Shuqi Liu, the daughter of Liu, became the CEO of Tongwei Co., the primary publicly traded company of the Tongwei Group, in March 2023. Liu is the 20th richest person in China with a net worth of $12.4 billion.
21. Chen Bang
Net Worth: $11.2 Billion
Chen Bang has an estimated net worth of $11.2 billion which makes him the 21th richest person in China. He is the chairperson of one of China’s biggest ophthalmology chains, Aier Eye Hospital Group.
Chen Bang completed his education with a Master of Business Administration from Hunan University. He is 57 years old and resides in Changsha, China. Besides, he is a self-made billionaire and also comes to the list of China’s richest.
22. Jiang Rensheng & family
Net Worth: $11.1 Billion
Jiang Rensheng is the CEO of Chongqing ZFSW Biological Products, popularly known as Zhifei. The business successfully listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2010. In 2018, Zhifei, a dependable Merck distribution partner, acquired the sales rights for the HPV medication produced by the American pharmaceutical corporation.
Jiang Rensheng formerly served as a government health officer and a primary school teacher before starting his own business.
23. Jin Baofang
Net Worth: $10.4 Billion
The chairman and CEO of JA Solar Technology, a business that specialises in the creation of solar wafers and modules for solar panels, is Jin Baofang. Jin founded JA Solar in 2005, and it first went public on the Nasdaq in 2007. The business would have gathered close to 30,000 workers by the end of 2021.
After being listed on the Nasdaq in 2018, JA Solar underwent privatisation in 2018, and in 2019 it successfully completed a backdoor listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
24. Luo Liguo & family
Net Worth: $10.2 Billion
Luo Liguo serves as the chairman of Hoshine Silicon Industry, a well-known provider of silicon metals used in electronics, solar, and chemical goods. Intriguingly, Luo started his professional career by founding a successful straw-hat manufacturing company.
Luo hails from a region known for producing straw hats. On October 30, 2017, Hoshine completed its first public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
25. Chris Xu
Net Worth: $10 Billion
Chris Xu founded the fashion label Shein in 2012, and Generation Z has since become quite interested in it. With fashionable apparel options available in more than 150 countries, Shein has become a worldwide phenomenon.
With the assistance of Sequoia China, it has become one of the most popular shopping applications globally, drawing a devoted user base with its low prices. Shein was successful in securing finance in the first half of 2022 at a $100 billion value.
26. Li Zhenguo & family
Net Worth: $9.6 Billion
One of the most important solar wafer producers in China is led by Li Zhenguo, CEO of LONGi Green Energy. LONGi, which was founded in 2000, has made a name for itself in the sector. Li Zhenguo is in charge of the business, which has its headquarters in the ancient city of Xi’an.
A director of LONGi who is also a billionaire is named Li Chunan. Li Chunan, who is ranked number 26 among the richest people in China, has an estimated net worth of $9.6 billion.
27. Liu Yongxing
Net Worth: $9.5 Billion
East Hope Group’s chairman, Liu Yongxing, is in charge of a broad range of economic endeavours, including heavy industry, agricultural, and real estate. Following a friendly breakup with his three brothers, Liu founded East Hope Group in the 1990s.
The Hope Group, an agricultural enterprise, was established by the siblings in 1982. Liu Yonghao, a prominent billionaire who ranks 27th among China’s richest people, is another well-known member of the family.
28. Dang Yanbao
Net Worth: $9.4 Billion
Chairman of Ningxia Baofeng Energy Group, a well-known provider of coal chemical goods, is Dang Yanbao. Dang’s financial ability has been furthered by his educational background, which includes an MBA from Peking University.
By placing No. 1,468 on the Forbes Global 2000 list of the top publicly traded firms in the world in 2022, Baofeng Energy Group earned considerable distinction. Additionally, Dang Yanbao, whose estimated net worth is $9.4 billion, is ranked number 28 among China’s richest people.
29. Gong Hongjia & family
Net Worth: $9.1 Billion
Investor Gong Hongjia mostly acquired his riches from his investment in Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, a well-known producer of security gear. Gong has an 18% ownership stake in the business and is both the vice chairman and the largest individual shareholder.
In addition to his work with Hikvision, Gong is the chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed company Vcanbio Cell & Gene Engineering.
30. Wang Xing
Net Worth: $8.9 Billion
Meituan’s founder and CEO, Wang Xing, was instrumental in the organisation of the business. Meituan itself was created in 2015 as a result of the union of two companies: Dianping.com, a restaurant review network, and Meituan, a group purchase website frequently compared to Groupon and Yelp.
Wang co-founded xiaonei.com, China’s first collegiate social network, before Meituan. Later, in 2006, Oak Pacific InterActive purchased xiaonei.com.
31. Sun Piaoyang
Net Worth: $8.7 Billion
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, a state-run company, is credited with becoming one of China’s top producers of anti-infection and tumor-treating drugs thanks to Sun Piaoyang. When Sun became the leader of Jiangsu Hengrui in 1990 at the age of 32, the business saw exceptional expansion and success.
In addition, Zhong Huijuan, the spouse of Sun, serves as chair of Hansoh Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical firm that listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in June 2019.
32. Richard Liu
Net Worth: $8.3 Billion
Richard Qiangdong Liu, also known as Richard Liu, is the founder and chairman of JD.com, a well-known e-commerce business with headquarters in China. Although he left his position as CEO in April 2022, he is still active in the company’s management. Liu was detained in Minneapolis in August 2018 on suspicion of sexual misconduct.
The county attorney, however, made the decision not to press charges following an investigation. In relation to a related legal lawsuit, it was stated that Liu settled in October 2022.
33. Cao Renxian
Net Worth: $8.2 Billion
The chairman of Sungrow Power Supply, a well-known producer of solar PV inverters, wind power converters, and power supplies, is Cao Renxian. Cao spent the years 1993 to 1998 teaching at Hefei University of Technology.
Before being involved with Sungrow. He started Sungrow in 1997, and it has since developed into a prosperous business. 2011 saw the company’s successful listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
34. Liu Jincheng & family
Net Worth: $8 Billion
EVE Energy, a renowned supplier of lithium batteries, elects Liu Jincheng to the position of chairman. 2009 saw the successful IPO of EVE on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Liu’s academic accomplishments are demonstrated by his degrees from Wuhan University, South China University of Technology, and the China Europe International Business School. The southern Chinese city of Huizhou serves as the home office of EVE Energy.
35. Pei Zhenhua
Net Worth: $7.9 Billion
The source of Pei Zhenhua’s fortune is Contemporary Amperex, a well-known manufacturer and distributor of battery goods. Pei also holds the position of chairman of Suzhou TA&A Ultra Clean Technology, a business that produces cleanroom goods for high-tech businesses and is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Pei had prior professional experience in the sector since he had worked for the Jiangsu Textile Research Institute prior to founding Suzhou TA&A in 1997.
36. Chen Jianhua
Net Worth: $7.7 Billion
The chairman of the Hengli Group, a prominent player in China’s petrochemical sector, is Chen Jianhua. Chen’s wife, Fan Hongwei, is the group’s chairperson of Hengli Petrochemical, the company’s listed petrochemicals division.
Fan Hongwei has likewise grown to be a self-made billionaire. After the pair reorganised their ownership of the company in 2022, Chen now holds a higher interest than Fan.
37. Lei Jun
Net Worth: $7.6 Billion
Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s co-founder and chairman, has been instrumental in making the firm one of the top smartphone brands in the world. On July 9, 2018, Xiaomi launched its initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Lei had success before Xiaomi when he sold the online store Joyo.com to Amazon in 2004 for a significant sum of $75 million.
38. Wang Liping & family
Net Worth: $7.5 Billion
Jiangsu Hengli High Pressure Oil Cylinder, a business listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, is led by Wang Liping as chairman. Hengli, which serves customers including Caterpillar, specialises in the production of oil cylinders, hydraulic valves, and hydraulic castings.
He attended Northeastern University of Technology, which is now a division of Northeastern University, and graduated from it. With an estimated net worth of $7.5 billion, Wang Liping ranks 38th among China’s wealthiest people.
39. Wang Jianlin
Net Worth: $7.4 Billion
Dalian Wanda Group, a conglomerate with extensive holdings in real estate, finance, and movie theatres, is led by Wang Jianlin. With over 300 shopping centres under its management throughout China, Dalian Wanda Group is one of the leading commercial real estate developers in the world.
In contrast to his prior significant buying frenzy, Wang has now been strategically receding. He made headlines in 2017 when he sold his portfolio of Chinese hotels and tourism businesses for a sizeable sum of over $9 billion.
40. Gao Jifan & family
Net Worth: $7.3 Billion
The success of Trina Solar was greatly influenced by its founder, Gao Jifan. In 2006, Trina Solar, a supplier of PV modules and smart energy solutions, debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. But in 2017, it finally finished the privatisation process.
Trina Solar raised an outstanding $376 million before listing on China’s tech-focused STAR market in June 2020. The money raised was intended to help with the development of projects for photovoltaic power plants.
41. Zhang Hejun
Net Worth: $7.2 Billion
Ningbo Deye Technology, a well-known supplier of a variety of goods such inverters, solar air conditioners, and water pump controllers, is led by Zhang Hejun. Deye employs about 1,700 people, according to the company’s website.
In 1990, Zhang founded the business in Ningbo, a Chinese city in the east. Ningbo Deye Technology’s successful initial public offering on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2021 represented a crucial turning point for the business.
42. Wu Yajun
Net Worth: $7.1 Billion
The development of the business was greatly aided by Wu Yajun, a co-founder of Longfor Properties, a well-known real estate developer listed in Hong Kong. She did, however, give up her chairmanship in October 2022.
After their divorce in 2012, Wu’s ex-husband Cai Kui, who was also a co-founder of Longfor, no longer participates in the business. Wu, an engineer with a background in journalism, worked there before entering the real estate business.
43. Zhang Zhidong
Net Worth: $7.05 Billion
Tony Zhang, also known as Zhang Zhidong, rose to prominence for his work as Tencent’s chief technology officer, a well-known gaming and social media firm in China. Zhang oversaw the company’s technological advancements for an amazing 16 years until retiring in September 2014.
The wide portfolio of Tencent includes a number of noteworthy businesses, such as the well-known messaging app WeChat, the game developer Riot Games (best known for League of Legends), and minority investments in major international companies like Spotify and Snap Inc.
44. Zhong Huijuan
Net Worth: $7 Billion
At Hansoh Pharmaceutical, a well-known Chinese pharmaceutical company that specialises in oncology, psychotropic, antidiabetic, and other pharmaceuticals, Zhong Huijuan is the chairperson.
It’s interesting to note that her spouse, Sun Piaoyang, is the CEO of the Shanghai-listed company Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine and is also a billionaire in the pharmaceutical sector.
In June 2019, the Chinese coastal city of Lianyungang-based Hansoh Pharmaceutical made its debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
45. Zong Qinghou
Net Worth: $6.95 Billion
The founder of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, Zong Qinghou, has been instrumental in turning the business into one of China’s top domestic retailers of bottled water, tea, and milk beverages.
In 1987, Zong in Hangzhou started Hangzhou Wahaha as a little shop inside a kindergarten. Under his direction, the business grew remarkably throughout the years.
46. Xu Shihui
Net Worth: $6.9 Billion
At the renowned Chinese company Dali Foods Group, which specialises in the production of snacks and beverages, Xu Shihui is the chairman. Xu’s entrepreneurial adventure started in the cookie industry.
And ultimately resulted in the acquisition of an incredible 120 food businesses. In November 2015, Dali Foods Group successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
47. Li Shuirong
Net Worth: $6.8 Billion
Zhejiang Rongsheng Holding Group, a significant manufacturer of petrochemicals, is led by Li Shuirong as chairman. Rongsheng Petrochemical, the group’s listed subsidiary, conducts business.
The initial step in Li’s entrepreneurial path was the establishment of his first company in 1989, which was dedicated to the manufacture of polyester fibre cloth.
With time, Rongsheng Holding Group grew into other industries and diversified its activities, producing polyester and chemicals from coal, among other things.
48. Wang Laichun
Net Worth: $6.7 Billion
The head of Luxshare Precision Industry, a well-known producer of electronic components with a focus on connectors, is Wang Laichun. Notably, Apple is one of Luxshare’s renowned clients.
Wang got useful expertise while working for Terry Gou’s Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, for ten years prior to her position at Luxshare.
49. Liu Yonghao & family
Net Worth: $6.6 Billion
Liu Yonghao has been the chairman of the New Hope Group for a very long time and is a well-known figure in business. Under Liu’s direction, the New Hope Group has expanded into a powerful corporation with a sizable global footprint.
The corporation works in a variety of industries and has over 600 companies spread over 30 countries and close to 70,000 people. He is ranked the 49th position in richest person in China with an estimated net worth of $6.6 billion.
50. Zheng Shuliang & family
Net Worth: $6.55 Billion
The late Zhang Shiping’s widow, Zheng Shuliang, continues her late husband’s work as the founder of the China Hongqiao Group. After Zhang Shiping passed away in 2019, Zheng took up the responsibility of managing the family’s economic interests.
Zhang Bao, who has an estimated net worth of $6.55 billion, is ranked 50th among richest person in China. The family’s continuing success in their different industries and involvement therein strengthen their eminent place in the commercial world.
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